Victor Wembanyama shares Hakeem Olajuwon message and biggest ‘struggle’ winning unanimous DPOY

It was only a matter of time.

Victor Wembanyama is the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and is the first to be voted unanimously since the award’s inception in 1982-93.

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At just 22-years-old, Wembanyama becomes the youngest winner of the award after edging past Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons – each of whom helped their teams secure the No. 1 seeds for the playoffs.

After finishing as runner up in his rookie campaign back in 2023-24, and then being ineligible in 2024-25 due to his season ending prematurely with injury, the 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs superstar has finally claimed the coveted individual award.

“The real struggle might have been getting to 65 games, but I’m super, super happy to win this award, and actually super proud to be the first ever unanimous,” Wembanyama said to the NBA on NBC crew on Monday night.

The French phenom led the NBA in blocks (197) for the second straight season, while he also logged 66 steals for the Spurs, who finished the regular season with the Association’s second-best defensive rating (110.4).

Wembanyama also ranked fourth in the league in rebounding, averaging 11.5 per game, of which 9.5 were defensive, which saw him trail only behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

“I’ve had the chance to have great coaches over my career that have taught me great habits on defense and my shot blocking, especially since we’re talking about it, is something I’ve been working on forever,” Wembanyama said Monday night.

“It’s probably the area in the game where I feel most comfortable.”

Wemby opens up on mentor Olajuwon

When discussing winning the award with those in the NBA on NBC studio, Wembanyama opened up about a conversation he had with his mentor, Hakeem Olajuwon.

A two-time DPOY, Olajuwon – who was once labelled a ‘different beast’ by NBA great Shaquille O’Neal – also just so happens to have the award named after him.

“It means everything,” Wembanyama said.

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“I’m smiling because I was just reminding myself of the time I was actually at Hakeem’s and looking at the plaque that says ‘Block Shots Leader all-time’ right?

“And he was like “You’re gonna beat that one day. So, you know, one step at a time.”

Although he could be forgiven if he were to bask in his own glory for his achievement, Wembanyama was sure to credit his entire team and coaching staff for helping him win the award.

“We often overlook the team aspect,” Wembanyama said. “I’m sitting here. I happen to be the guy who’s put in the spotlight.

“But I am part of a system, and I couldn’t get this award, and I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for my teammates, who actually do the rotations and allow me to be in the spotlight.

“If it wasn’t for my coaching staff, you know, Sean Sweeney, the defensive coach of our team, sitting here with us right now, Mitch Johnson as well.

“You notice I fit in a system, meaning I happen to be the guy who benefits from it. But we cannot forget about these guys either.”

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